Pumpkin Rice Pudding

Intro

No one was more happy to smell the scent of cinnamon wafting up from a steaming sauce pan than my oldest brother. Peering over my mom’s shoulder he would stop for a moment to watch the rice dance about in the bubbling milk.

For us it was milk rice and it was dinner.

I liked it but my brother LOVED it. So the other day when I decided to make milk rice for my boys I couldn’t help but think of him.

The leftovers were brought to his house but by the time he returned home from his job that carries him all over the country, all that remained of the dish was the vivid description given to him by his wife.

He called the next day for the recipe.

It’s the time of year where I try and sneak pumpkin into many dishes and this rice pudding is no different. The addition of this brilliant seasonal vegetable also helps to justify my habit of eating pudding as a meal. That and the fact that I’ve used brown rice here – oh and isn’t cinnamon really good for you as well? I mean really, it’s practically health food.

I like mine served slightly warm with a cool dollop of whipped cream and a very fine dusting of cinnamon on top.

The brown rice creates a welcoming nutty texture and flavor. The milk morphs into a custard-like sauce as much of it evaporates into the gentle steam that carries with it the inviting scent of spice. And before you know it the bowl is empty but feel free to have seconds as it is health food after all.

Combine the rice and water. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes.
Add the milk, brown sugar, salt and spices to the rice. Bring back to a boil then turn the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Add pumpkin and vanilla. Cook on low for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit 15 for minutes. Serve warm with lightly whipped cream.
Can also be served cold for breakfast.*

*Hey, if my family had it for dinner then I say feel free to eat it for breakfast. Go ahead. You have my permission.

I like to tell myself very similar stories about things that involve pumpkin. Like today when i had two pumpkin blondies. I told myself that at least i was getting two servings of veggies! Can’t argue with logic like that.

I adore rice pudding and this pumpkin infused version sounds absolutely glorious! Need to make it.

great idea of infusing pumpkin with rice pudding. but instead of brown rice can we substitute black rice instead? black rice when cooked turns purplish in color. wouldn’t it bring great color for the rice pudding?

oh wow. i just ate a hearty bowlful. thank you for sharing this recipe! i agree with fresh365 that it is perfect for thanksgiving. it will definitely be on our menu. btw: if anyone out there is gluten free/casein free as my house is, then you’ll be happy to know that this recipe works very well with coconut milk (sodelicious unsweetened). i also substituted honey for the brown sugar. and now i’m going back to the kitchen for seconds! hope there’s some left for breakfast tomorrow.

i tried this recipe but with the use of black rice. i got just the same taste but with a more colorful presentation. here are other recipes to try: http://www.blackrice.com/recipes/ do try it for yourself. it might come in handy this coming thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Rice Pudding,
Thank You, I been trying to make a rice pudding with brown rice now for about 3mo. And I couldn’t get it right.
So I was giving a try on line and I found pumpkin rice pudding with brown rice.And it’s just right for my Thanksgiving Dinner.
I just made up some to see how it was and it’s grate I love it. And it will be on my table for Thanksgiving .Thank You so
Much you made my day.

I made this with almond milk (one of my kids is lactose intolerant) and added sliced almonds on top. It was delicious that way too. Adding whipped egg whites (I added three) to the pudding before the second heating period adds protein without adding much in the way of calories (45 to the entire recipe.) It does lighten the texture, however, kind of like “floating island” pudding. Almond milk significantly reduces the calories, without giving up the calcium in this nutritious recipe.